Review to be posted soon...this was precious for me so i am super cautious about posting any sort of written evaluation because it was one of those experiences that is so hard to put into words how beautiful it truly was. In every way.

(The video for For Emma wasn't the best quality and it is my favorite song...so this version will have to do.)

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Makes missing these beautiful books a little bit easier to bear...but, it does look like they cast an ultra creepy young version of Voldemort which is why this trailer looks so good. Can't wait.Harry Potter Tags

Monday, July 28, 2008

Yesterday was one of the longest concert-going days I have experienced in quite sometime, especially since it was a show and not a festival. In true nyc fashion of our over indulged concert scene the comments today on Bvegan were classic. Armed with vicious critiques that flew faster to the posted story than the dodge balls towards skinny-legged bearded Brooklynites there was one that simply stated "I had fun." If you check it out do not expect more words of flattery than this and it is a rare occasion when people actually write about THE BANDS THAT PLAYED. It was quite the scene and as one who thoroughly enjoys watching the crowd as much as the music i was a bit shocked that they didn't just call the entire thing off due to...i don't know...massive amounts of lightening throughout the ENTIRE show. Maybe it is because one of my bosses was on said metal-constructed stage with his lovely wife and his MAC computer getting soaked by the wind and rain that i was overly concerned (or possibly it could be that i have been at a concert feet away from someone who was struck by lightening and died). I was totally dumb and stayed out in the mother natures' glorious elements despite these thoughts. The best moment of the day was a story i heard about a member of Black Moth Super Rainbow's mom thanking people for listening to "her kids' band!" Precious. Hopefully Felice Brothers will be easier to get into. As you all know i love me some boys who sing about whiskey and chasin' the ladies. Always a good time.Black Moth Super Rainbow-The Afternoon Turns Pink.mp3

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Usually when i post about Daytrotter in studio sessions i just toss the link onto my blog, invite you- my dearest readers to stop by and check out the songs and that is about it. However, when Bon Iver stops by anywhere it is always a big deal for me. I read each and every uttered statement that pours from his mouth and devour the opening paragraphs leading into his beautiful songs. His album has touched me deeply unlike any other album of it's ilk in quite some time. Of all the live shows i have heard from him this one is definitely my favorite. You can hear the creaking of the chair as he adjusts his crouching position and lovingly strums his bruised guitar. It is simplistic and striking. His is music that weeps and sways. The opening statements that drift into THIS particular session is just as poignant and unabashedly honest as the songs Bon Iver himself shares with us. Enough has been made out of the cool side of the pillow. Enough with it. It’s just an unused side, nothing more and nothing less. A pillow with potential. It’s just lying there, naked by the headboard. Plenty has been made about the empty warmth of the bed too. The side of the bed, previously occupied, just recently deserted for a different bed. It’s never meant a better bed, necessarily, just a different one, one with different sheets and blankets, different pillows for sure and without question, a different person to share it with. Plenty has been made out of how that warm, oblong shape of space that we can run our hands over and get burnt by the touch is like an obscenity to behold, to have to behold. There’s no way around it. It’s not the same as the warm spot that gets left in the mornings, when the alarm clocks beckon our better half away to an appointment or a job. This is the permanent kind of heat loss. It’s there and then it’s gone like a vapor, the scent of those limp, resting limbs and necks still reeks like betrayal and love, more love, no – more betrayal. … the rest of the story and the songs you can check out here.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

They say as you get older you return to your roots and since i feel like i have aged a ton this year despite how much my parents love to rustle my hair and claim i am still a youngling i find myself feeding my ears with more and more rustic-ole'time sounding singer/songwriter melodies. I like the crooning and the voice breaks. I have a keen fondness for men who sound like they have just tumbled out of bed, whipped up a bottle of whisky and started drowning the reality of daylight away with their only companion being a hound dog or their guitar. Now that, is my type of gentleman. Maybe it is just because I saw the Hunter S. Thompson movie last night...which I HIGHLY recommend and could go on a rant about for ages. It made me cry. All i could think about is how Americans have ended up in the situation we have and how hopeful my parents were for our generation to make a change like theirs did in the 60s. Or tried to. But I digress. Elliott Brood hails from Canada. He is lovely. If this next election does not go the way I hope it does, i might seriously stop threatening to join him and finally get off of my duff and do it. For now, I recommend this and Gonzo. Elliott Brood-Miss You Now.mp3Elliott Brood-Write It All Down For You.mp3

When my friend told me about this video last night while waiting for Gonzo to start i was immediately in love with Feist all over again. Her album was one a popular member amongst my soundtrack selections for the summer of *07 and the song 1,2,3,4 was on steady rotation until LCD Soundsystem took over again. I was always more of a Reading Rainbow gal myself. Secretly ashamed that besides Kermet and Snuffles (i didn't like saying his whole name...) and of course The Count most of the show bored me. I liked stories and cartoons, i couldn't help it! My sister was a HUGE Seasame Street fan so this is perfect for her-plus her favorite number is FOUR! Again, precious Feist. You are precious.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

September, you are sure looking lovely. That's because during those early crisp fall days in Manhattan we shall be able to head on down to our local music venues Black Mountain Yes sir, we are lucky. Looks like my favorite season just got a little bit better. Procure your tickets early folks- you definitely do not want to miss them.************Black Mountain Tour Dates*********7/18, 19 & 20-Dawson,Yukon-Dawson City Music Festival (19th and 20th are Workshop Days)7/26-Vancouver,BC-Pemberton Festival * 8/09-Pittsburgh,PA-New American Music Union 8/15-Brecon Beacons,UK-Green Man Festival * 8/16-Hasselt,Belgium-Pukkelpop Festival 8/17-Biddinghuizen,Netherlands-Lowlands Festival 8/22-San Francisco,CA-Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival 9/19-Champaign,IL-Pygmalion Festival * 9/20-Chicago,IL-Hideout Block Party 9/23-New York,NY-Bowery Ballroom * 9/24-Brooklyn, NY-Music Hall of Williamsburg9/27-Toronto,ON-The Opera House *Tickets for nYc shows go on sale this Saturday at NOON!Black Mountain-No Satisfaction.mp3Black Mountain-Stormy High.mp3Delta Spirit-Gimme Some Motivation.mp3**i want delta spirit to open for them, wishful thinking...so here is a bit of delta for ya**Black Mountain Tags

Thank you blog world! My discoveries led me to some of my favorite dance fests and tracks that i continuously revisit and lavish affection upon. Some of these bands you might recognize just a Little bit... LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk, Crystal Castles, Simian Mobile Disco, Justice, Battles and Digitalism. I have been one very lucky little girl to have been able to see all of these bands perform their magic live and they definitely live up to the brilliance of their albums. Digitalism was by far one of my favorite discoveries. The french duo KILLED it at Studio B and i could not have been happier to find this treasure today amidst my blog hunting's. Love love love love it! Even with the lack of proper air conditioning it caused me to get up and take a break from work and do a little ditty. It was a sweaty scene, but it was totally worth it. See for yourself.Digitalism-Kitsune Tabloid Micromix.mp3*This is the first in Kitsuné’s new Tabloid DJ mix series, where the label will be inviting their favourite DJs to tell a story through a personal mix. Digitalism's mix features the likes of Zombie Nation, CSS, Midnight Juggernauts, Hercules & Love Affair, Spank Rock, Holy Ghost, Calvin Harris , In Flagranti, Late Of The Pier and The Presets.*-Credit

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

A few months ago i was lucky enough to have a friend pass along the lastest album from New York based Takka Takka, Migration. Instantly I loved and was incredibly impressed and excited for this band to lure in ears of new fans outside of our small little city, which they are sure to do with this beautifully composed collection of songs. They are playing a handful of New York shows scattered throughout the next few weeks as well as stopping by my loves, Daytrotter for an in-studio session. Sure to be a golden one. In the meantime check out these two tracks and enjoy! *********TAKKKKKA TAKKKKKKA TOUR DATES**********Jul 3-Union Hall-Brooklyn, New York Jul 15-Pianos-nYcJul 22-Pianos-nYcJul 24-Daytrotter Sessions-Chicago, Illinois Jul 25-Schubas Tavern-Chicago, Illinois Jul 26-The Frequency-Madison, Wisconsin Jul 29-Pianos-nYcTakka Takka-The Takers.mp3Takka Takka-Everybody Say.mp3Takka Takka Tags.

So check it out FULL size here. Loved this- made me laugh out loud at my desk because well...we all know these types of people. Thanks Becks. Perfect. And if you like a depressing spin on Garfield, this is pretty darn snappy. Some of them at least.

It is kind of amazing that i have not written about the brilliant side-project, The Last Shadow Puppets from one of my favorite lyricists of our time the beloved Alex Turner. Aided by the equally adept Miles Kane of The Rascals' i was lucky enough to witness the duo's second nYc show which took place at The Cake Shop on a random Wednesday night in March. I try not to compare any artists to The Beatles because in my opinion there never will be, nor could there ever be another Beatles (sorry Oasis, Coldplay...etc). It would be pure blasphemy to even attempt to coin that accomplishment, despite whatever happens in music in the future, and I consider myself highly optimistic that the good days of music are still happening. However, that being said I remember leaning over to my friend who had stayed up late to keep me company at the show that I finally understood why people might attempt to compare the young Alex to a young John. There are the obvious elements: English background, uncanny ability to build the most basic of melodies, the success at such a young age and then of course, the clothing and haircuts. Experiencing Alex and Miles and what the two of them are together- playing such a stripped down set in the tiny, dank basement it was unbelievable. It was one of those shows where I couldn't move. I didn't want to. I was completely in awe. For the first time I WANTED to make the comparison...to say, this is what it must have been like for my Mum to see the Beatles for the first time. Your body feels heavy, yet you are completely covered in goosebumps and feel furiously alive yet like you are in a dream. They are so young and yet they already have mastered their instruments and their songwriting capacity on such a level that even if you do not enjoy their sound you have to give them your respect. There are few artists out there that truly deserve it and Alex Turner my dears, is definitely one of them. Buzzing on the interwebs today is word of Jack White joining them on stage during their Glastonbury set. Makes sense to me...one genius steppin' in on the other. Not sure how i would have survived seeing that one.

Dear dear bands posted here:

A little music lover with a lot left to learn and discover.
Don't forget about Katrina.
www.katrinaspianofund.org
www.tipitinasfoundation.org
"I am worried my kids won't know what it is like to open Vinyl." -Jack White